All Posts Tagged with "lifestyle"
My next gal up Andrea Arrie-Devoe is one super person. She is a writer, a nurturer, and a visionary. Andrea has been a friend and a client for years. Her story and this shoot are a culmination and celebration of so many facets coming together. The shoot was an opportunity to celebrate mommy-hood and family with a little fashion fantasy, putting together an eccentric, cool family session inspired by some of Andrea’s favorite artists such as Julie Blackmon. When we started developing the concept, I knew we had to enlist the amazing stylist, Mary Kinney (of Style Army and Sister Brother) to join forces on some good ole fashion, girly fun! This shoot is also, and more importantly, a celebration of a mother, a family, and a year filled with awakenings (Andrea’s son Henry was diagnosed with provisional autism), challenges and modifications, devotion and love within a family, a rebirth of priorities, and the celebration of a new lifestyle and understanding. Andrea has always been dynamic, but her story of how she and her husband Mike came together to help Henry get the best care and create a more successful environment for him is truly inspiring. Here’s a little more on Andrea and why I have always thought (and now even more) that this lady is something special.
Andrea…I am a freelance writer and editor. I worked on a regular basis until Henry turned two, and then circumstances dictated that I was most needed at home. I am starting to work a little more now that Henry is in school as a contributing editor for Beso.com. I love cooking, designing, gardening, and the environment.
I am a constant. I keep the wheels turning. I make the smoothies and the oatmeal every morning, I give the last kisses before bed every night. I feel very identified with Hestia, the goddess of the Hearth+Home but it’s a struggle not to cave in to societies pressures to be more. Studies show that multitasking is hazardous to our mental health and yet its become the foundation of our culture. It’s not to say that a woman shouldn’t work or have her passions, its just that the work of a mother, the work of tending a home can feel so undervalued in our society.
My son is teaching me how to be patient and present. Two major lessons I need to learn. He’s also teaching me how to accept what is rather than forcing life to conform to some fantasy or vision in my head. Kind of like the ugly stepsisters forcing the glass slipper to fit in the Cinderella myth. There’s a lot of grief that comes when the illusion dies. But at the same time, there is an awakening and a feeling of completeness when we are able to really experience a moment with our children that is unadulterated by empty chatter in our heads. At least this is true for me!
My most humbling moment as a mom…My son was diagnosed with provisional autism when he was 2.9 years old. The diagnosis was devastating but at the same time it felt like a relief. It wasn’t just my imagination playing tricks on me. Before we were educated about what was going on, I couldn’t understand why it was so challenging to do things with Henry that seemed easy for my other mom friends. At the park, if I turned my head for a second he might bite another child’s toes or run off somewhere. I would never be able to sit down and chat because I was always running after him. I usually ended up leaving wherever I was, exhausted and furious. He just never wanted to play in the same way that the other kids did. At first it was kind of funny because he would more often than not be playing in the dirt at play dates, sprinkling the earth between his fingers and making little piles. And we would say, there’s Henry in the dirt again. Eventually, it stopped being cute and I would complain at my mom’s group that the dirt was driving me insane. We would find little dirt piles all over the backyard, like a dog trying desperately to find a bone he buried a long time ago.
Before the diagnosis I worked part-time and I would constantly beat myself up and say, why can so-and-so work and still be a great mom? What am I doing wrong? Why can’t I handle this? Knowing that I had to get real help and that I needed to stop everything to learn how to teach my son differently was a major wake-up call. I had no choice but to press the pause button to re-evaluate my priorities. I have never been good at asking for help or taking it unless I am completely falling apart. And usually I have no idea how overwhelmed I am until I’m hysterically crying in a puddle on the floor. I always knew I was a control freak but I couldn’t really see it until I became a mother to Henry.
The whole experience has been an incredible journey—even though we’re eons away from that first, raw grieving place, it’s still hard to write about it and be separate from it because we’re still on the road. We’re really blessed because Henry is extremely high functioning and all the early intervention is paying off—most people would never realize that there was anything different about him. But, they also wouldn’t know that he has had a team of incredible people all dedicated to his wellbeing and success since the age of 2 and a half. At one point, I went to see a woman who practices family constellation work and she told me that the upside to “the knot in Henry’s brain” was that he would get to know so many beautiful people who love children and who care so much for him. That really resonated with me especially since I sometimes joke that Henry is like the President with his team of advisers. From the straightforward behaviorist who told us in no uncertain terms that Henry was moderately autistic and that we needed to have him diagnosed ASAP to the speech and occupational therapists and teachers and other parents we have met going through the same thing, our community has grown to include inspiring, dedicated people who we never would have met otherwise. Granted, there are days when I wish it could all be simpler and we didn’t have to schlep from one therapy to the next or watch his behaviors like a hawk-eyed clinician. I don’t have the fantasy as often as I did in the beginning but every once in a while I just wish we could all wake up one day and everything would be normal. But, what does “normal” really mean, after all?
I try to keep things as simple as possible without totally throwing in the towel. I try never to wear yoga pants or gym clothes in public unless absolutely necessary. For me its just as easy, if not easier, to throw on a casual dress with sandals. Of course, living in Southern California helps. I am a Tata Harper devotee and wash and moisturize my face twice a day religiously. I wear Laura Mercier powder and maybe a little blush. I should do more, probably, as I get older.
My husband is an amazing man. Whenever I am in doubt on what to do about something, I ask myself what would Mike do because I know he would always do the right thing. Mike works really hard and his passion for his work is an admirable quality for Henry to witness. He always carves out time to go on a bike ride with Henry or to take him to his favorite museum. We try to do a date night at least once a week and a sleepover date once a month.
Henry is 3…A few of his favorite things…Buses. Henry is obsessed with Buses. He loves to jump on his trampoline, swim, and ride his trike.
We are very religious about our coffee and smoothie ritual in the morning. Henry helps me grind coffee, turn off the kettle, and press the button on the blender. We also like to wait outside on the couch on the porch for visitors. The vintage-inspired wallpaper gives Henry’s room a classic feel. Its pretty streamlined. Clutter can be overwhelming for kids, especially mine.
A day in the life…It makes me tired just thinking about it. But here goes, Monday we have ABA in the am, preschool in the afternoon… Tuesdays, social skills from 8:30-10:30 then clinic, and then more ABA; Wednesdays ABA in the am, then preschool, Thursdays OT and swimming in the am, preschool in the afternoon, Fridays ABA and preschool… Saturdays OT and swimming. Plus, I am always making sure there are plenty of playdates. I envision myself being a really laissez-faire mom, just letting the days unfold for Henry as they may but he needs a lot of structure.
Best advice…I am reading an amazing book right now called Simplicity Parenting. In this high speed world of so many choices and exposure to too much too fast, kids are being deprived of a real childhood. They know too much and are expected to grow up so quickly. The author links the rise in childhood anxiety and disorders like ADHD to the omnipresence of media in the home as well as a glut of toys and overextended parents. The bottom line, keep it simple. That’s pretty much my motto these days.
I try to go easy on the blogs but I love Macaroon Original, Babyccino Kids, and Smaller (Small Magazine’s Blog). You can also check out my favorite kids boutique picks on Beso.com
Everyday something exciting happens but when Henry first started riding his bike I got really excited watching him. He is a superstar on that thing already doing tricks. And while he has taken some spills, he has this uncanny ability to avoid cracks and bumps on the sidewalk. It’s weird. The most humbling would have to be my husband teaching me how to breastfeed via youtube videos after we got home from the hospital. I was such an emotional wreck and couldn’t figure out how to get Henry to latch on, but, I finally got the hang of it!
All of the parents we talked to in the beginning whose children had been through what we were going through and had come out the other side told us flat out that they wouldn’t want to be in our shoes, that the diagnosis is the hardest, most painful part of the process. There is a lot of necessary grief that comes with letting go of what you thought your child or your life was going to be. But, they all also said they wouldn’t have traded the experience for the world. A year and a half later, I absolutely agree. My husband and I have grown so much closer as a result. We really had to come together to work as a team. We’ve been given an opportunity to learn how to listen to our son and to one another. We don’t take anything for granted. So, if I could do it all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing either.
Special thanks to our retailers…Elizabeth Charles, Caren Templet, Julius Clothing, Franco Ferrini Shoes, Hamilton Jewelers, Puddles, and Koukla Kids.
I was so happy when I got the call to photograph one of my fave families again, The Nagpals. And even better news, they are expecting another adorable baby this December. So not only did I get to catch up with their sweet kids, Reyna and Jay, but I felt honored documenting Ritu’s belly and baby-to-be. I can’t wait to see and photograph their new addition. And as always, we had a ball shooting. Reyna even brought me a beautiful drawing to start the day.
I am super excited about this post. Not only because I am enamored by the glorious and wonderful designer and owner, Jennie Hearing, and her product Luna Leggings…but because this campaign truly shows the essence of our team and the amazing efforts and details that go into each lifestyle and fashion campaign that we do. Jennie came to me through a dear friend Amy Elder (yes, she was my first wedding client ever!). I have known Jennie for years and I have always loved her energy, creativity, and dedication to her community and the world around her. When I learned that she had developed, designed, and dreamed up Luna while raising two young girls, I was even more enthused and impressed by this lady. And with a 2-day trip to India to select the perfect fabric and manufacturer to maintain and sustain her organic line, she rose to rockstar status. Jennie is a dear sole, a dream client, and dedicating a portion of her sales to Alice Water’s Edible Schoolyard Foundation. Luna is truly a labor of love for Jennie. We chose the beautiful Potrero Hill Community Garden in San Francisco to showcase the company and the garden’s philosophies on educating children about real food, how to grow and eat it. Our second site, the amazing graffiti of Meagan Spendlove, a mother and activist. As for our team, I have to do a little bragging…Mary, Mary, Mary, our stylist of Sister Brother, you are a god-send, and a talented women through and through. My partner in crime, you bring magic and life to every shoot with your unique and ingenious vision. And thank you to Kimberly Kalmbach of Bloomers for her always gorgeous flowers and set design, Liz Bagatelos for her stunning makeup, and Katie Neutz of Muse Boutique for her twists and braided goodness…Jessica, Blake, Kristi, Andi, and Elizabeth for all your incredible help and support.
Or PT as the hip crowd calls it. Anna Weinberg, and her most marvelous team from Marlowe, have done it again. The new gorgeous space in North Beach designed by herself and her interior designer/sister-in-law Kendra Nicholas of Parc Interiors is a perfect combo of urban chic and family style tavern. And with Jennifer Puccio again behind the food and menu, it is a sure fire hit. We were honored to participate again in capturing the images for this amazing team and for its newest family member. Refinery 29 featured the mega hot spot and our imagery this week.
Mike and Evans met through friends when Evans was moving to San Francisco. Mike was the first person she met and they’ve been together ever since. This year on her birthday, Mike proposed to Evans over cupcakes and champagne, her favorite!
They are planning their wedding for April 2009 in Pebble Beach at the Monterey Peninsula Country Club, with a rehearsal dinner at the Monterey Aquarium. I can’t wait to photograph them with the Seahorses .
For the engagement shoot, we covered the distance. One of our favorite shots was taken near the Ferry Building where we enlisted some skaters for an action backdrop.
And then, we were off to the Cal Train Station. One of my fave places to shoot. I love the industrial, urban, and gritty setting. Plus, there’s always the adventure of getting caught on the tracks mid-shoot….
Evans grew up in Monterey, so we are hoping for a beautiful sunny day after all her early years in the fog!
Yes, we are headed down South. Woo Hoo! And for this one, my hubby Greg is my co-pilot/ assistant. Our dear friends Anna and James are getting hitched.
This event has been two years in the making (we are dying already…let’s go!), and what a party they have planned. The super star couple is getting married in Hawkes Bay at the gorgeous Mudbrick Vineyard. The wedding will be laid back and lovely, just as they are.
Anna grew up close by. Her restaurant South, located in Soma, is inspired by the wine and cuisine of NZ, along with the Australian influences of her best friend Liz and the superstar Australian chef, Luke Mangan.
Anna and I are already concocting our ideas for the fashion shoot couple days prior to the wedding; a meadow of sheep, long white go-go boots, and a short wedding veil.
Here’s a quick blurb that James wrote on how he met and fell for Anna. Is this guy cute or what?? “On a warm August evening in New York City’s Chinatown, I approached seven flights of stairs that would forever change my life. On crutches with a torn Achilles, floor by floor, I sweated my way up the old pre-war building to find a smiley green-eyed Kiwi girl I’d make my wife. Gigondas at Balthazar, lattes at Gitande, I found the happy face I’ll love to the end…”.
Oh and a few photos from Vegas….We saw LOVE (how appropriate!)
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